After a few weeks of dreary winter weather, New York City was bathed in comparative warmth and brilliant sunshine yesterday, which increased the attendance of the Lion Dances in Manhattan's Chinatown. Crowds gathered around the performers and their accompanying cacophonous bands as they entered stores, restaurants and groceries. The dances are on Mott and Pell, Doyers and Elizabeth, Bayard and East Broadway.
During Chinese New Year, lion dancers from martial arts schools or other similar associations, visit storefronts of businesses to receive donations. Businesses prepare small red envelopes filled with money and hand them to the lion dancers as they enter. This is to bring good luck and fortune to the businesses and the dancers are well rewarded.
The lion dance originated in China sometime before the Tang Dynasty (618-907). In Chinese culture, even though China never had 'indigenous' lions other than those captured and sent as gifts to Emperors and the like, they symbolize power, wisdom, and superiority.
Entering Shanghai Supreme restaurant on Mott street
The Lion Dances on the 3-4 streets of Chinatown attracted many spectators -locals and tourists- who crowded around the performers using their cellphones to either photograph or videotape the action. Naturally, the dances also attracted serious photographers who found it hard to get the angles they sought without all the stretched arms/hands in the way.
A tradition at the Chinese New Year involves the shopkeepers tying a clump of lettuce with a red envelope of money above the door of their shop. The lion has to jump up to grab the lettuce and get the money. This brings good luck to the store during the upcoming year.
The "Lion" was told to give the red envelopes to the leader of the association.
Almost mauled by a "lion!
For larger sized photographs:
The Lion Dance by Tewfic El-Sawy on Exposure
